Singapore to open embassy in Mexico City in 2026 as part of deepening ties

Singapore will open an embassy in Mexico City in 2026, reflecting deeper ties between both countries.

- Lee Li Ying Correspondent

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced this on Dec 2 during his first state visit to Mexico and also Latin America.

"Our decision reflects Singapore's confidence in Mexico's future and will allow us to engage with Mexico’s leaders, officials and the business and cultural community more actively and deeply," said Mr Tharman, in remarks to the media alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace located in the Mexican capital.

The Mexican mission will be Singapore’s first embassy in the Spanish-speaking world and second in Latin America, after opening one in Brazil in 2012.

This follows Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s announcement in November of a new embassy in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa by 2027, after he said in April that Singapore will open new diplomatic missions in Africa and Latin America over the next few years.

Both Mr Tharman and Ms Sheinbaum gave their remarks after witnessing the signing of two memorandums of understanding.

The first on international development cooperation will allow both countries to promote economic and social development in developing countries using complementary financial, technical and human resources.

The second agreement covers cooperation in coral reef restoration and a sustainable blue economy. A sustainable blue economy uses ocean resources for economic development while ensuring the health of the marine ecosystem.

Responding to queries, Dr Karenne Tun, group director at the National Parks Board’s National Biodiversity Centre, said that despite both countries having vastly different marine environments, they face similar challenges as maritime hubs contending with changes due to climate and human activity. The partnership will facilitate the sharing of expertise on coral restoration.